DOBSON — Seven men affiliated with a gang in Charlotte have been arrested in connection with a break-in and a home invasion that took place almost two years apart at an Elkin residence.

Detective Jeremy Luffman with the Surry County Sheriff’s Office said that Charlotte police officers have informed them that the men arrested were affiliated with Hidden Valley Kings, a well-known gang in the Charlotte area. Luffman said the men allegedly were connected to two incidents that took place at a home on Brookfall Dairy Road in Elkin.

County officers investigated the home invasion that took place at the residence last December. Sheriff Graham Atkinson said the men wore masks and were armed when they entered the home. They also allegedly held a person against his or her will, taking the person from place to place in the house. The suspects stole a 53-inch television, jewelry, cash and designer purses and wallets.

The home also had been broken into in March 2008, shortly after two sisters moved there from Charlotte. The subjects allegedly stole a collection of gold coins and other valuable items.

Luffman said one of the masked men asked a person in the residence about gold coins during the armed robbery in December, leading investigators to believe that the two crimes were connected.

Desmond Rashad Adams, 20, of Charlotte, was linked to both crimes. Atkinson said he was believed to have been part of the moving crew which relocated the sisters to Elkin. Investigators believe he noticed the coins and other valuables, which led to the break-ins.

Adams was charged with second-degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault by pointing a gun, felony breaking or entering and possession of a firearm by a felon. His bonds were set at $150,000 unsecured and $160,000 secured.

Also linked to the home invasion were Jonathan McCleary, 19, and Jucorey Deonte Pruitt, 19, both of Charlotte. Both were charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony breaking or entering, second-degree kidnapping and assault by pointing a gun. They each had bonds set at $150,000 secured.

Four other Charlotte men were charged with felony breaking and entering and felony larceny after breaking and entering in the 2008 incident. They are Leonard Eugene Alexander, 21; James David Ratliff, 19; Brandon Dondariele Clark, 21; and Tyler Cameron Clark, 19. All of those suspects, except for Brandon Clark, are free on bond.

The men were arrested at separate times from January to March by officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department and its gang task force. They were then transported to the Surry County Detention Center. Luffman said one of the men came to Surry County to turn himself in. Their court dates have been scheduled throughout March and at the beginning of April.

Luffman said this is the first incidence he can recall where an outside gang came to Surry County to commit a crime.